Forbidden Passion

Theodore's hand, just hanging there, suddenly went stiff. He yanked Vanessa's arm and pulled her back, then took a slow step away.

"Vanessa, chill. We've got the best heart docs in the country here. They'll do everything to help your mom. No need to freak out," he said, trying to calm her down.

Vanessa lost it, covering her face and sobbing. "It's all on me. I knew she just had heart surgery, but I still fought with her. I'm such a terrible daughter. Theodore, if something happens to my mom, I can't go on." "Don't talk like that," Theodore said softly.

Vanessa peeked at him through her fingers. She knew Theodore was all tough on the outside but had a soft spot inside. Out of all Sophia's students, he was the one who still cared.

That's why he was so busy when Sophia got sick.

And she could only use Theodore's sense of duty to keep him close. This was a golden opportunity, and she couldn't let it slip.

"Theodore, thanks. I thought we were done and you wouldn't care about my stuff anymore." Vanessa forced a smile. "Anyway, thanks. I won't bother you, and I won't let Ms. Ziegler get the wrong idea."

Theodore, sounding indifferent, said, "I'll keep an eye on Sophia's condition. If you need anything, just tell me. Don't worry about bothering me."

"Okay." This was what Vanessa had been waiting for. She hid the excitement in her eyes and said, "It's late. You still have work today. Let me see you out."

Theodore glanced out the window. The morning light was just peeking through. He'd spent the whole night at the hospital. He rubbed his temples and stopped Vanessa.

"You've been up all night, too. No need to see me out. Go stay with your mom. I'm out," Theodore said.

Vanessa held back the urge to follow him. She stood there, watching him leave. Only when he was out of sight did she let a smile creep onto her face. 'Mom's illness came at just the right time,' she thought.

Phoebe had crashed on the sofa in the middle of the night. When the first rays of sunlight hit her face through the big window, she groggily opened her eyes. Ollie was snuggled up in her arms, all warm and cozy.

Half-asleep, Phoebe thought Theodore wasn't as good as Ollie. Just as she was thinking this, she heard the door open. Ollie suddenly stood up, staring at the door. Seeing a familiar face, Ollie gracefully leaped and walked over to Theodore, circling his legs.

Phoebe was speechless.

She had just thought Theodore wasn't as good as Ollie, but now she took it back. Guys, in general, were unreliable.

Theodore came in, seeing Phoebe sitting dazed on the sofa with a thin blanket over her waist. He frowned. "Why didn't you go back to your room to sleep?" Phoebe lowered her eyelids, feeling down.

Theodore, carrying breakfast, walked over. Seeing her dazed look, his heart softened. "I brought breakfast. Go freshen up and come eat." Phoebe looked up at the breakfast in his hand. She smelled the aroma and stood up, only to see a lipstick mark on Theodore's shirt collar. Her eyes narrowed.

Theodore, seeing her standing still, looked confused. "What's up?"

Phoebe moved her gaze away without a word. As she walked towards the bathroom, she caught a whiff of strong floral perfume-Vanessa's usual scent. Phoebe's heart took a nosedive. She kept walking but stopped at the bathroom door, turning to Theodore. "Were you with Miss Fitzroy last night?"

Theodore didn't think much of it. "Yeah, why? Something up?"

Phoebe pressed her lips together, seeing his casual attitude like she had no right to ask. She smirked. "Nothing, just that you've got a lipstick mark on your collar." With that, she pushed open the bathroom door and went in.

Theodore walked into the dining room and started unpacking the food. He replayed Phoebe's tone in his head, feeling like something was off.

Phoebe must've gotten the wrong idea.

He tugged at his collar and saw the lipstick mark. Frowning, he left the dining room and went to the bathroom door, knocking.

Phoebe was brushing her teeth. She turned to the closed door, feeling super uncomfortable and not wanting to talk to him.

Theodore said from outside, "Sophia's really sick and got rushed to the hospital last night. I was up all night with the cardiologists, working on a treatment plan. Vanessa was there, too." Phoebe bit her toothbrush, taking a moment before responding.

Theodore wanted to explain more but figured it might just make things worse. He sighed, turned, and went to the master bedroom. By the time Phoebe came out, Theodore had changed clothes and was sitting at the dining table waiting for her.

Phoebe sat down and started eating in silence. The breakfast didn't taste good anymore.

Theodore said, "Take it easy; no one's gonna snatch it from you."

Phoebe swallowed her food in a few bites, feeling a lump in her throat. She took the dishes to the kitchen and loaded them into the dishwasher.

When she came out, Theodore was already waiting by the door.

At the office, Theodore headed straight to the conference room for a morning meeting, while Phoebe went to her office. Not long after, Carol came in with some documents.

Ever since she found out Phoebe was Theodore's wife, Carol felt she should stick close to Phoebe and follow her lead.

"Ms. Ziegler, you okay? Maybe you should hit the infirmary?" Carol placed the documents on Phoebe's desk, noticing she didn't look too hot.

Phoebe rubbed her stomach. "Maybe I ate breakfast too fast. It's nothing."

Carol asked, "What did you have for breakfast?"

Phoebe replied, "Bread."

Carol's eyes widened. "Even rich folks eat that simple? I thought you all had foie gras for breakfast."

Phoebe chuckled at her exaggerated tone. "You're thinking of royalty, not the Reynolds family. We're not that fancy."

"Well, I'm already green with envy," Carol said, "By the way, did you hear? Vanessa's mom has heart failure and doesn't have long to live."

Phoebe was taken aback. So Theodore hadn't lied; he really was at the hospital last night. "Oh, how'd you find out?"

Carol explained, "People on the 17th floor were talking about it, and I overheard. I heard Vanessa's mom was Mr. Reynolds' college professor. They almost became family once. Now that Vanessa's mom is seriously ill, Mr. Reynolds is busy finding specialists for consultations. Even a son-in-law wouldn't be this attentive."

Phoebe responded with a blank expression.

"I really talked nonsense." Carol realized she had said something wrong and covered her mouth, cautiously looking at Phoebe. "Ms. Ziegler, I didn't mean anything by it."

Phoebe felt a strange sense of suffocation. She stood up and walked out. "I'm going to the infirmary."